SAMSULA – This is the big night — the 48thrunning of the Governor’s Cup Super Late Model race promises to be bigger, better and brighter, thanks to a new lighting system just installed this week.

Forty cars have filed pre-entries and more are expected to show up at the pit gate on race day for the 200-lap race over the half-mile, high-banked oval.

“We’ve always thought this was an important race, but this year we’ve stepped it up three notches,” track owner Robert Hart said.

Hart moved the race from its traditional mid-November date to October. The track will keep the infield clear of all vehicles so race fans can see every foot of the racing surface.

NSS owner Robert Hart

“The weather looks great,” Hart said. “The fans have a new lighting system and we’re taking all the haulers out of the infield.

“Competitors will have to roll their war chests (tool boxes) into the track. We’re looking to upgrade this for the fans. They’ll be able to see the entire track.”

The GovCup has turned into a two-day racing event. The track will host four feature races, including a 100-lap Pro Late Model race, Friday night. The racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

Among those on Saturday’s entry list include Ben Kennedy, a great grandson of NASCAR founder William H.G. France, and ASA National Champion Dalton Zehr.

Kennedy will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville, Va., Saturday afternoon then rush to New Smyrna to compete for the Cup.

Ben Kennedy is racing a truck at Martinsville then flying home for the GovCup

Kennedy won a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races this season. Martinsville will mark the 21-year-old driver’s fourth truck series start this year. He has three Governor’s Cup starts on his resume.

“It’s always been one of the biggest races on the schedule for me every year,” Kennedy said in a recent telephone interview.

“I haven’t raced a Late Model since December of last year, so it will be cool doing that. Coming back from Martinsville and doing my own little doubleheader will be interesting.”

Zehr hails from Port Orange, but spent the summer racing Late Models in Michigan. He did so well, he took home the ASA title.

The 22-year-old driver said he has started the GovCup only once, when he was 14.

“I had a Top-10 finish,” he said in a phone interview. “It’s a cool race. I’m excited, but I’m going into it with a team I have never raced with before.

“We’ll see how quickly we can get that ball picked up and rolling. For me a Top-5 would be like a win for me. You never know. If all the pieces are there and things go our way, we could be in contention for the win.”

Saturday’ schedule

11 a.m.: Ticket office opens

4:30 p.m.: Super Late Model, Modified qualifying

6 p.m.: Driver autograph session

7:15 p.m.: Opening ceremonies

7:30 p.m.: Start of 48thrunning of Governor’s Cup Super Late Model feature, followed by Modified 100